Natalie Heavren
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Natalie Heavren
@natalieheavren.bsky.social
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Tis the season for NET rankings!
Richmond (36), Davidson (46), Rhode Island (59), George Mason (65) and Saint Joseph's (77) are all in the top-80.

St. Bonaventure (182) reached its highest ranking since at least 12/31/23

Stay tuned for weekly updates from me!
@theixbasketball.bsky.social
A graph of the NET rankings for the 14 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams.
December 2, 2025 at 2:12 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Guth also talked about what she’s learned about her team this season
On what she’s learned about her team this season: I believe we have a team who's gonna fight for 40 minutes, but I realize that our identity to defend, rebound and run has to be more consistent across the board. This is our first game where we really coughed up the ball a lot, and we were prepared to feel the pressure that UConn forces, but we are going to need to learn how to value that possession to get us in good opportunities. And then I think there's a consistency in defending, 'cause when we talk about really half-court defense for UConn tonight, I thought we guarded their pinch actions, their chin, their stuff in the first half, their loop play where they post up and do post ISOs. I thought we guarded that fairly well. UConn was scoring off of turning us over and getting transition buckets. And so we did that for two quarters. But again, just like our ... Green Bay game, we come out in the third quarter, missed assignments get nailed on a couple of those UCLA back screens, and that's just unacceptable. You have to be consistent if you wanna be good. So we're gonna have to defend with some integrity there. And then I really think so much of this — you're coming off a couple games like you have got to score the ball and … assist. And what I thought UConn was outstanding with tonight was the way they cut the floor. We were trying to keep that ball out of the outer third and try to keep it in the middle third for a majority of the game, once we saw the way they were cutting the floor, but were unsuccessful in doing that. And so I think what I'm learning about us is we gotta find a way to get the bucket. We shot 22 threes again. We came off a game shooting 28 threes — only shooting 22% [tonight]. ... They call it basketball for a reason, you gotta make buckets to win.
November 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
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Guth also talked about how her team impressed her against UConn
On how her team impressed her against UConn: We thought there was gonna be a really important assignment with defending both Sarah Strong and Azzi [Fudd]. I think Sarah Strong is one of the most gifted and will be one of the most special players that — out of all the lineage of UConn greats, I think she will be one of the greatest of all time. And I think Azzi's on a total mission. And so to hold Sarah Strong to 11 [points] and Azzi to 9 [points] — now, I know they only played ... [about 20] minutes. But similar to what their performances were … [against] Florida State, we were focused on how we could put the ball in other people's hands. So I'm pleased with that effort. I like that we got to the free throw line four more times and were 100% from the free throw line. I love that we forced them into a few more turnovers than Louisville was able to force them into. But in our Tag Up system, you have to make buckets to tag up. And so I thought UConn was tremendous in the way that they defend and turn people over. To get 18 turnovers in just one half alone and 36 — you need those possessions back. But I just thought they were physical, long, smart. And I was worried we wouldn't get the ball over half court, and our turnovers were way more in the front court. So I think we are coming away with a couple areas that we say we locked in on, but there's so much more we have to fix if we wanna be good in the A-10.
November 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
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Guth talked about the support from Loyola Chicago fans
On the support from Loyola Chicago fans: I think, for us, this has been a really incredible and special experience when you think about women's basketball in general, and you think about the brand of basketball that UConn basketball is, and what Geno has poured in. What it was in Storrs before he got here, and what it is now. And you look at those student section and the fans that are lined up at 5 before coming to the game, and you're so proud that you get to be a part of such a movement of women's basketball. And going into Year 21 ... of doing this, for me, I've never been here [at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion]. I've had opportunities when ... [I was an assistant coach and director of basketball operations] in the BIG EAST to go against them, but never was here here. And that's crazy, having been at Yale for all those years. And so I think the opportunity, the tremendous amount of respect we have for the program, was really exciting for us to bring our team here, 'cause I think in order to be the best, you have to play the best, and you gotta see what it's about. And so I think you had a lotta friends and family wanna be a part of that moment as well, because it all started the same. Whether you're Sarah Strong or you're Kira Chivers on our team, it started with a basket, a ball, a girl and a dream ... So a night like tonight, until we build this thing to … where we would get to face an opponent like this in March, you gotta schedule it in November to experience it. And so that was really, really a special thing for our families to be a part of and for our players to be a part of that type of history.
November 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
After Loyola Chicago's 85-31 loss to No. 1 UConn on Wednesday, I spoke with head coach Allison Guth and freshman guard/forward Alex-Anne Bessette.

Bessette talked about the support from the Loyola Chicago fans in attendance and the team's growth

@theixbasketball.bsky.social
On the support from Loyola Chicago fans: It's really nice to see this, 'cause I'm turning around from our bench and ... I see our colors in a UConn stadium that's full of students and parents, and then ... I see our parents and our friends. And it's just like the support was felt on the floor. On the growth she's seen from the team: Honestly, it's just like the way we're together. Our connection ... [during] our first game wasn't as good as the connection we have right now. I feel like we're very connected on and off the court. On how she hopes the growth will continue: I think when we get challenged ... if we stay connected, we're just gonna keep growing on and off the court.
November 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
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With happy tears in my eyes I just finished this beautiful book by @howardmegdal.bsky.social
May 17, 2025 at 2:45 AM
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For the last time this season, A-10 teams' NET rankings (through 3/10), as well as a bonus chart for where teams started in early December in the rankings compared to today.

Richmond currently stands at 33 and automatic qualifier George Mason finishes at 45.

@thenext.bsky.social
A graph of the NET rankings for the 15 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams. A graph of the NET rankings for the 15 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams, comparing NET rankings for 12/2/24 and 3/10/25.
March 12, 2025 at 2:32 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
For the second-to-last time this season, here are the A-10 NET rankings

The biggest climbers of the week are:
George Washington (+14) up to 244 after a narrow loss to UMass and a win over Rhode Island
Loyola Chicago (+13) up to 278 after wins over VCU and Saint Louis

@thenext.bsky.social
A graph of the NET rankings for the 15 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams.
March 3, 2025 at 11:11 PM
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Though Leflar hasn't thought about the team nearing the end of its time in the A-10, he knows what the team has learned this season will pay off against George Washington Wednesday and in the A-10 Tournament.
We're going to be in position, this position in a game like this in the next two weeks. And we gotta understand what it takes to close it out. And I'm excited for that. And I really haven't thought about last regular season game, or last home game, last game, none of that stuff. Yeah, I know that's ahead, and I know we just got to keep getting better, because we're gonna be in a position like this again. And I'm sure I'll reference it in a huddle, in the third or fourth quarter and we gotta close it. And I hope we're in two or three more like this, because that means we keep playing.
February 24, 2025 at 11:55 PM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Here's a look at where the NET rankings for all 15 A-10 teams stand with one week left in the regular season.

Biggest climbers of the week:
Davidson (+12) up to 84
George Washington (+6) up to 258
Rhode Island (+7) up to 104
Saint Louis (+8) up to 201
VCU (+11) up to 145

@thenext.bsky.social
A graph of the NET rankings for the 15 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams.
February 24, 2025 at 10:40 PM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Here's a look at the latest A-10 NET rankings.

The biggest climbers of the week are:
UMass (+18) up to 146 after a 20-point win over Duquesne and a 10-point loss to George Mason

Saint Louis (+17) up to 209 after a win over VCU and a 10-point loss to Richmond

@thenext.bsky.social
A graph of the NET rankings for the 15 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams.
February 17, 2025 at 11:03 PM
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Here are the weekly NET rankings for A-10 women's basketball teams. Richmond (29), George Mason (41) and Saint Joseph's (49) remain in the top 50.

The biggest climbers of the week are:
Davidson (+6) up to 96
George Washington (+16) up to 265
Rhode Island (+5) up to 113

@thenext.bsky.social
A graph of the NET rankings for the 15 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams.
February 11, 2025 at 1:06 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Here are the latest NET rankings for A-10 women's basketball teams.

Richmond remains the highest-ranking team in the conference at No. 30, with the biggest climbers being

Duquesne (+8) to No. 109
Saint Louis (+6) to No. 229

@thenext.bsky.social
A graph of the NET rankings for the 15 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams.
February 3, 2025 at 11:54 PM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Guth also talked about the process of continuing to look for answers
You lean in. One you look at yourself for accountability as a coach, but you lean in to the voices of your players, about what it's feeling like, what it's [like] on the floor, to your great coaching staff. This coaching staff is an absolutely phenomenal coaching staff. So we sit here, we talk about the nuances of what we're trying to do and what were the deficiencies, and what's actually getting done. You lean in, you rep, you fix it. And I gotta tell you, before we came on the road, we had two great practices, and again, our kids are like, we finally start to feel it. It's just not translating on the floor. So I think there's a level of faith and commitment. And then there's got to be ... a self correct that says what's working, what's not, what does this team need? Because what happens is, when we don't score, we start to press, the ball doesn't move as much. And so maybe, I think me as a coach, doing a better job controlling those pressing moments is going to be something that gives our team confidence. So it's staying together in this time.
January 28, 2025 at 3:32 AM
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Guth talked about her takeaways from the game
I think where we're really frustrated as a group [is] that we're in this together. The team is locked in. ... [W]e love this crew. We're not scoring the ball. We're not scoring the ball at the clip that we anticipated this offense to be able to ... but I really think we walk away — you cannot win in this league scoring 45 pieces, and especially combining that with the defensive efforts we've had. And I think we're a little bit perplexed ... We're really doing some things in practice that seem to translate. We created 53 shots to Rhode Island's 57 but you can't win a game shooting in the percentages we're shooting at, and it's about sharing the ball. ... [I]'m not used to coming away from games where five assists are on the board. So I think where we're walking away is, how do we get this thing to click from an offensive standpoint? And then when you play a great team like Rhode Island, they absolutely dominated us on the glass. The offensive rebounding was outstanding, even when we made them miss their first shot. And I liked our defensive game plan [versus] it. They just got more shots, simply. If you're talking about 57 shots to 53 they had 19 offensive rebounds. That's 19 extra possessions. So our defense actually does work. It's the rebounding efforts that have to get fixed. So a lot to work on back at the lab at home.
January 28, 2025 at 3:32 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Yesterday, I talked to Loyola Chicago head coach Allison Guth after her team's 67-49 loss to Rhode Island.

She talked about sophomore guard Audrey Deptula's career-high 15 points

@thenext.bsky.social
The kid works so hard. She's dedicated to her craft. I know that she has it in her to be a capable scoring threat. I actually loved — because she's been known as a 3-point threat, where you saw her get warm today was at the rim, off the bounce. The duality of that because Rhode Island obviously scouted her as a 3-point threat and taking her off the line. And so I think her getting her early scores at the rim helped her confidence with shooting the three-ball. And more importantly, it's the defensive side of the ball that we're trying to improve in her game. And I know she's really, really intentional about improving in her game.
January 28, 2025 at 3:32 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
My weekly look at A-10 NET rankings

This week the biggest movers were:
- George Mason (+6), up to 45 after wins over Davidson and GW
- UMass (+6), up to 162 after a loss to URI and a win over VCU
- Saint Louis (+20), up to 235 after a loss to Dayton and win over Davidson

@thenext.bsky.social
A graph of the NET rankings for the 15 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams.
January 28, 2025 at 2:27 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Still some movement in Atlantic 10 women's basketball NET rankings, but less than we've seen in recent weeks.

Teams with the most movement include:
Davidson (+11) up to 86
Dayton (+5) up to 147
Rhode Island (+6) up to 123

@thenext.bsky.social
A graph of the NET rankings for the 15 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams.
January 20, 2025 at 10:47 PM
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Reiss on adjusting after the Davidson loss (in preparation for the game against Mason) and looking ahead to Wednesday's game against VCU
We really, as coaches, went to the drawing board and we had different coverages taught for different personnel for this game. I mean, again, it was a chess match, and for us, it really to help this team coaches have to be on point. With a team that isn't as experienced or isn't where they want to be you as a coaching staff have to be really good. You can't let your kids not be good and you not be good as well. So it's really making the right adjustments as a coaching staff and learning from those and then making the kids believe that this is going to work. And they believed today that all the different things we were gonna do was going to work. Whether it was pressing, whether it was trapping ball screens, hard hedging ball screens, switching ball screens. And they believed. And I think we were much better at that than last game. And now you got to pick a poison again. Now is it rebounding? Because we did not box out. We gave up 14 o-boards. And we do not do that. We hold teams under 10. So now it's this poison we gotta clean that up against VCU, or they're gonna torch you on the o-boards. And so every game you'll have your game goals. This game, we did pretty well taking care of the ball. We got the shots we wanted. We did not finish plays with the rebounding. But every game, again we'll go the drawing board with VCU, and every game is a little bit different. How are we going combat? They struggle to score at times too. So now it's what are we gonna have to do to be able to be successful and get that win down at VCU.
January 14, 2025 at 2:23 AM
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Rhode Island head coach Tammi Reiss' opening statement
Really talented team, especially offensively. Great coach in Vanessa and there's a reason they're one of the top teams in our league. With that being said, I'm really, really proud of our kids with the way they fought and came back, just came back a little bit short on a box out offensive rebound that we gave up at the end. But being down 14 with five, four plus or five and change to go, really happy. Any other game, we don't come back, it stays at 15 or 16, and we take the loss. But today, they fought, and we can build on that. So really proud of the effort today and really proud of our execution down the stretch. We have not been able to get the ball where we wanted it with who we wanted it in the past, in close games, we have not, and today we did. We just didn't make the shots we needed to at the end. But as far as the execution goes, and the defensive changes we made in the second half with certain players in ball screen, really happy with how we implemented that. That's what got us back in the game and our press, speeding them up a little bit, getting them out of their comfort zone. But, proud of our kids, but hats off to George Mason, they did a really, really nice job.
January 14, 2025 at 2:23 AM
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Blair-Lewis on the message to her players during the team's road trip
I think every single team talks about at the beginning of the year you want to win a championship, but I don't think you necessarily know what it takes to do that, especially coming from where we've come with this program. And so it's about taking steps and taking the right steps. And we played against a championship team in Richmond, learned some really good things about ourselves, and played against another great team in St. Joe's and were able to learn some more things. And I'm glad we were able to learn those things early, where we can make the adjustments. We can continue to build the confidence that the players talk about.
January 14, 2025 at 2:23 AM
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Blair-Lewis on what she said during the timeouts down the stretch
That we were okay. Like to take some deep breaths, like this is what we mean about taking a step, that we're going to play against good teams, they're going to make runs ... And I think that was a big lesson that we learned, when we just played Richmond, that you get up that doesn't mean a team's going to go away. That we got to continue to to work and that they're going to make their run, and we're going to continue to make our run, that we stay confident in what we're doing. The last time out, I just told take a deep breath we're about to take a step.
January 14, 2025 at 2:23 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Here are a few sound bites from George Mason's 71-65 win over Rhode Island yesterday

Vanessa Blair-Lewis' opening statement
I thought this was a really, really good bounce back game for us. We played top two teams in the conference, with Richmond and St. Joe's in the first week and a half of conference play. And really proud of our ladies. But we talked about taking steps and we just had some things that we got to continue to work on, but tonight, I thought we took a really great step, especially coming off of a tough loss. Being on the road, Rhode Island being an formidable opponent, it was just a really good test for our team. I'm really proud of them.
January 14, 2025 at 2:23 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
A-10 women's basketball NET rankings update

After wins over Saint Joseph's and GW, Duquesne moved up 33 spots to 106.

VCU moved up 13 spots after wins over Loyola Chicago and Saint Joseph's to 130.

With wins over George Mason and Davidson, Richmond moved up two spots to 34.

@thenext.bsky.social
A graph of the NET rankings for the 15 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams.
January 14, 2025 at 1:44 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Leflar on how he hopes the team responds to the loss
We need to walk in with little chip on our shoulder tomorrow. Again, ... the disappointment from today has to fuel you. And I was really pleased with our first two games, obviously, two double-figure wins, winning one on the road. And I don't know, I don't think we relaxed on the court, physically, mentally, but today we really look like we had relaxed, and we looked like we accomplished something, and the only thing we accomplished was winning two games and having the opportunity the next one. So I hope the disappointment, I hope today does fuel tomorrow, and then we'll get after it physically on the court. So I expect to see a response.
January 7, 2025 at 2:05 AM